RadioOnFire.com - It's been a decade since Dwyane Wade played his first Christmas Day game. Back then, he was an emerging star, but, as is the case this Christmas, he wasn't the primary storyline. All the anticipation was about how his new Miami Heat teammate,Shaquille O'Neal, would be received upon returning to the Staples Center after falling out with the Los Angeles Lakers and agreeing to a trade to Miami. Would L.A. fans cheer or jeer the center who led them to three championships?
Turned out they would do a bit of both, standing for a tribute video and greeting O'Neal's introduction with a rousing 40-second ovation. Then, after the game started, many booed him every time he touched the ball, and subsequently booed him back to the bench after he fouled out.
Now, on Christmas Day 2014, Wade will be representing the Heat asLeBron James comes back to Miami—again, with uncertainty related to the reception. Naturally, all Heat fans wish James had never gone back to the Cavaliers, especially with the Heat struggling at 13-15 following four straight NBA Finals appearances. And while many seem to genuinely appreciate all that James accomplished for them, there's a contingent that hasn't moved on, either because they don't believe he communicated clearly with Heat president Pat Riley during the free-agent process, or showed enough appreciation for them in the essay announcing his Cleveland homecoming. Or both.
Wade isn't aligned with that critical chorus, however. Not at all.
The 10-time All-Star guard has repeatedly insisted that he harbors no hard feelings, not even after opting out of his contract to accommodate offseason improvements and—after James left for Cleveland—signing one of lesser value. And last week, during an extended interview with Bleacher Report and ESPN.com, he called for those inside American Airlines Arena to welcome James in a positive way.
Even if he knows not everyone will.
Source: Bleacher Report
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